Latisse base of the eyelashes

Uses

This medication is used to treat patients with not enough or inadequate eyelashes. Bimatoprost makes the eyelashes more noticeable by causing more eyelashes to grow and making them longer, thicker, and darker. Bimatoprost is similar to a natural chemical in the body (prostaglandin).

Bimatoprost is also used to treat glaucoma. If you are already using or are directed to use bimatoprost to treat glaucoma, be careful not to get this eyelash medication into your eyes. Getting extra bimatoprost in your eyes may make it less effective for treating glaucoma. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to use Latisse base of the eyelashes

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using bimatoprost and each time you get a refill. Learn how to properly apply this medication. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Use this medication once daily in the evening or as directed by your doctor.

To apply this medication, first wash your hands and face. Remove any makeup and contact lenses. Contact lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes after applying this medication. Place one drop of this medication onto the provided applicator. Then immediately draw the applicator carefully across the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the bottom of the eyelashes going from the inner part of your lash line to the outer part. Blot any excess solution that is applied beyond the eyelid margin. Throw away the applicator after applying the medication. Repeat with a new applicator for the other upper eyelid. This medication is not for use on the lower eyelids.

If any medication gets into the eye, do not rinse your eye. It is not likely to cause any harm if this medication gets into the eye, because it is the same medication that is used in the eyes to treat glaucoma.

To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eyelashes or any other surface. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use, and keep the cap tightly closed.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each evening. Do not use more of this medication than recommended. Using more will not make this medication work faster. It may take up to 2 months before the full benefits of using this medication are seen.

When this medication is stopped, expect the appearance of the eyelashes to return to the way they looked before starting treatment with bimatoprost.

It is possible that the effects between your two sets of eyelashes may not be the same. There may be differences in eyelash length, thickness, fullness, color, number or direction of growth. If any of these occur, talk to your doctor.

Side Effects

Eye redness/discomfort/itching/dryness or eyelid redness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

It is possible for hair growth to happen in other areas of your skin where this medication frequently touches. Be sure to wipe any extra medication after applying it to the eyelash margins (see also How to Use section).

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

When the eye drop form of this medication is applied directly into the eyes to treat glaucoma, it may slowly (over months to years) cause brown discoloration of the colored portion of the eye (iris). This form of bimatoprost used to improve eyelash appearance could also have this effect. Also, this medication may cause eyelid changes or a darkening of the skin around the base of the eyelashes. After stopping use, eyelid skin darkening should go away after several weeks to months. However other side effects (such as discoloration of the iris) may be permanent. Tell your doctor if any of these side effects occur.

Precautions

Before using bimatoprost, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (such as latanoprost, travoprost); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems (such as discoloration of contact lenses). Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain glaucoma eye drops (such as bimatoprost, latanoprost, travoprost).

This is not a complete list of possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Overdose

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store between 36-77 degrees F (2-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised November 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.

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Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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